Not Taking Shape.

I've started painting a still life (orchids) for a friend about 3 weeks ago. She asked me to do one for her in yellow. It's half-way done. I only did a little bit of it last week--one day of last week, and I've not touched my brush since. I don't know...it seems I'm not going anywhere with it. There is something amiss with my composition.

My friend sent me a link to the web site of Esteban Sabar Gallery. And, wow, the paintings on the site are truly amazing. These are works of painters whose life is art. For me painting is a hobby. It's only for my own pleasure and use. Although, there was a couple of paintings I sold to someone. The buyer was a technician who came to my house to work on our internet connection (dsl) He saw these two small ones and asked if he can buy them, and I was willing to part with them. I guess, I was glad someone liked my painting.

Bird of Paradise

Oil on 10" x 7" canvas.

10" x 7" piece of canvas glued on 14" x 10" illustration board.

Email

Hi !

Kumusta? Happy New Year! I meant to say that I appreciated your beautiful watercolor card and personalized writing but forgot to write about. Are you taking watercolor lesseon now? How was your Christmas?
We spent Christmas with Roger and his family at Pacifica, about 20 minutes away from S.F. It was raining all day. Then we spent New Years's Eve at home because the party we planned to go to was cancelled because of the Pacific storm. More rain... on New Year's Eve, Day and the Rose Parade. We were stuck at home and catch up with many DVD's. Did you watch the parade? Everybody were smiling the rain. They all look fake.


Regards,
Evelyne


Hi Evelyne,

Happy New Year! We are doing fine. Thanks for your pro-looking Christmas Card. I didn't have time to make a better card, a better design...it was a rush job. We had house guests--3 adults and 2 children--the first week of December. So, before they came we started preparing for their stay here (8 days). They were from Australia--Mick's cousin and her daughter and family. It was hectic preparing for them; entertaining them; driving them from one place to the other. But they helped with the clean up and cooking...just like what we do back home. So after they left Mick bugged me about making cards and I relented. My computer printer ran out of color ink and I didn't want to bother going out to buy some, so I did it all by hand.

No, I am not taking watercolor class. I do some watercolor painting here at home, and I have a few of them framed. (I took watercolor class in college.) Why bother going to Mary Lou when she doesn't teach at all. Oh, I joined the street painting in Newhall last October. There were only 3 of us, not including Mary Lou. We had fun though.

We had Christmas dinner at my son's place in NoHo; New Year's day we were at a friend's party. Yeah, it rained at the Rose Parade...lol...but I didn't bother watching it. I was still catching up on my laundry--beddings (I have to buy new ones) and towels used by our house guests.

I have not done much painting since November...I've been planning to do some this month...just plans, but I hope I'd get to do it before the month ends.

How's the painting coming along?

Later,

Rena

Update...

I should be updating this more often, but I'm so busy I can't keep up. I haven't done any painting...nothing. Argh...I'm supposed to make a doctor's appointment. Busy, busy, busy. What in Sam Hill? Pictures from our Black Sea cruise I haven't finished printing, and that was in year 2004. Oooohhh, my gosh. Focus. I need to focus. Hocus focus...lol. I haven't filled up that box I'm sending home...there's still plenty of room for other stuff.

Our house guest, Ermie, left more pictures for me to print. I did a couple already. And, oh yes, pictures that came with Christmas cards I have to put them in my album. This would be kind of like a reminder for me to do all these things. Let me see. I'll write them down here...but doctor's appointment will be last. If I can help it, I don't like going to the doctor.

Ed asked me to frame a photo of his former teacher--Bill Ryusaki and Bill's friend, the late Bruce Lee. This has been sitting in my little studio since December. It's about time I start working on these small projects to get them out of my way.

Contrails Galore

These white streaks of contrail crosses the blue sky on this early sunny morning, like white chalk lines on a blue board. It's fascinating to watch the formation as jets fly above.

Sunrise

Taken at 6:30 in the morning, on Dec. 22nd. I woke up to the beauty of the sunrise and immediately got my camera to take a shot. This was taken from the balcony of my bedroom overlooking the valley of Saint Claire.

Rush Job

I did a rush job on a few Holiday cards for friends and family. My husband bugged me about it Friday morning, so I started working on it that afternoon. I have to do all of them by hand, as my printer is out of color cartridges, and I just don't want to bother going out to buy one. I figured I would make a dozen cards with a simple design. The thought is what matters, I say. Everything was done by hand...so it's a labor of love...as they say.

I have an 18" x 24" sheet of white ingres drawing paper and I cut it up to the size that would fit a number 10 envelope; and I was able to make 20 cards from it. Each card has a different
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message in it. The design is of mixed media. I have only a few tubes of watercolor and some acrylic paint. For green and purple I used watercolor; acrylic for red and yellow; marker for brown (tree branch); roller pen for the message. They are all set and tomorrow ready for mailing...it may be late, but better than never.

Just Around the Corner

Christmas is fast approaching, and I haven't done any shopping...at all. Christmas tree? Ha! I don't know. I would perhaps do the same thing--decorate my wall with Christmas decorations and trimmings in the shape of a tree. I've done it for 3 consecutive Christmases and no one has complained. The only problem with that is my wall is getting a beating with staple wire holes. And presents won't be under this tree, for the simple reason that there's no under, since it's not a tree at all. What should I call it then? A faux Christmas tree? There's faux finish (for walls); faux fur coat, so faux Christmas tree would be appropriate.

Sometimes I feel like I wouldn't want to celebrate Christmas anymore. Then at the last minute I run to a store and grab presents for my family and friends. I design cards for far away friends and relatives, but I haven't the time to sit down and do it. And sometimes the idea doesn't come to me until...the last minute. I wonder why it usually comes at the last minute. Strange...sometimes I sit and nothing comes--my light bulb does not turn on. Perhaps, I need more fuel, like...food, to crank my brain and turn on the light.

Getting Better....

I've been feeling much better, my back pain have diminished since Wednesday. I noticed that when I'm up and about; busy puttering around the house: preparing dinner, cleaning and doing other household chores I don't feel so much pain. The Icy Hot helped ease it away in just a couple of days. It seemed to be more effective than Salonpas, the other one I used the first time I had back pain.

Our house guests went down south to San Diego via Amtrak to meet other relatives; and they are to go to Sea World and have another exciting day there. Yesterday they were at Universal Studios; they got home tired, but it was evident they had fun, especially the 7-year-old boy who went right to sleep; he didn't even have dinner anymore.

They have quite a schedule: Monday, the 5th - was a trip to Disneyland; the next day to California Adventures; Wednesday - to Hollywood and down the Hollywood Walk of Fame. So in a span of a few days they would have covered most of the attractions here in Southern California.

We are full house when they are here, and I enjoy their company. It's the first time I've met my husband's cousin and niece and I've bonded with them instantly. The two boys are well-behaved. Matthew, the 9-year old, help set up the table; he's a good helper.

At this time, late afternoon, it's so quiet here at home. They'll be back late Sunday afternoon and then head north to Oakland the next day, Monday.

Oh, pain...

My back gave in yesterday morning—perfect timing; just when we have house guests. My husband and I picked them up from the airport last Saturday; and Sunday he took them--3 adults and 2 children--down to Long Beach to stay overnight at a relative's place. From there they were to be taken to Disneyland, which is the main attraction, beside Universal Studios, here in Los Angeles. If tourists have not gone to Disneyland or Universal Studios, they have not gone to Los Angeles at all.

Here I am in front of my pc trying my best to sit straight, so when I stand up I wouldn’t be in excruciating pain. The very first time I had back pain was last October, and this is my second time. I was praying yesterday morning that it would not develop to this one—again. But it had.

Our guests would be back here tonight, and I’ve pre-prepared some food last Monday. That would be less work for me; and less strain on my back. I wonder how I would fair next Monday when they head north to visit other relatives. I would have to drive, since one car would not be enough for them and their baggage. We would drive them to the bus station, which would be an easier and less expensive commute for them.

I pray that by Monday, my back would be a lot better.

Some People...really.

This afternoon, while my husband and I were at the mall, I excused myself and I went to the restroom. I found an empty stall and went in and pushed the barrel bolt to lock myself in. While I was there sitting, someone pulled the door open (apparently, the bolt didn't lock). I looked up and she looked down at me; then she walked to the next stall. She didn't push the door back to close it and didn't even say excuse me or I'm sorry. I have to try to reach the door, while in a sitting position to close it. Some people really! At least she could've pushed the door back...even if she didn't say excuse me. She must've been one of those effin *!%^#$* people who have no manners.

Sketch

Here I go...this is me. Just doodling and this is what came out. I got pretty close...real close to what I look like. Eyeglasses have been imbedded on my face. I've been nearsighted since I was 13 years old. I tried contacts for a while, but finally, I didn't want to bother with it anymore. All I need is to plunk my other 2 eyes and I go. I still could walk around without my glasses, but I wouldn't be able to know if a person who's coming is smiling at me or not. I could pretty much tell who he/she is by his/her silhouette. One thing I couldn't do without them is drive.

Just Wondering

Sometimes I wonder what I'm doing here, I mean, why I'm blogging. I'm not a writer; I'm not good in composition and my grammar sucks. My syntax...ugh...they are...whatever. My past, or my present doesn't get along; would've, could've--whatever. Now is this where I put a period, a comma, a semi-colon or a colon. But one thing, I think, I'm good at--spelling. Was it spelling? My memory is fading and sometimes my spelling is affected.

I think, I know why I'm here. I'm being sucked by the vortex of the spinning blogosphere. Everyone, almost everyone--old, young, writer or not are being carried by the eddying winds of this sphere...and away we all go. So, perhaps, I'm going with the flow to nowhere, to wherever and write anything...whatever comes to mind.

Practice work

Oil on 8" x 10" canvas...about 6 years old--one of my practice works. The painting goes all the way to the sides of the canvas, which is about an inch thick. I didn't take a picture of it showing the sides...and unfortunately I don't have this painting anymore. Someone bought it. .

Through My Eyes

These verses were written as a response to someone's poem.

Through the Eyes of a Daughter

I've seen my mother's sad eyes;
I've heard her every sigh.
All through my childhood days;
All through my grown up ways.

I saw the pain in her face;
I saw it nights and days.
Came he one day from nowhere
I'm home, he said, this stranger.

This gallant philanderer--
My mother's tormentor--
The man I called father,
She prepared him dinner.

He, I've never known
No love for him has ever grown
All through the time I needed him
He was away with another woman.

Years ago he passed away,
Some tears I did shed
He was after all...my father.

10/11/05

Filing Cabinet

I have documents, essays, photos and some verses--unfinished and finished--saved in my word folder, but they were all devoured by an SOV when it attacked my PC. I've been told so many times by my husband to save them in a flash drive or iomega, but I, always the procrastinator me, never listened. So I thought perhaps, I'd save them here. Some of them are news clips or recipes I've saved, and these sometimes just clutter my desk. Everybody can see them here, but there's no harm in letting the public see some good recipes or news clips or essays I've saved.

Here's a recipe from SCV's Home and Garden Magazine. I've never tried it, but I'm saving the recipe for that time when I feel like it.

Hearty Mexican Bean Soup

2 tablespoon butter
1/4 cup chopped red onion
2 carrots, diced
2 medium zucchini, cubed
1 can (17 oz.) spicy pinto beans
1 can (14 1/2 oz.) chicken broth
1 whole cooked chicken breast, diced

Melt butter in soup pot and saute onion, carrots and zucchini until tender (6 to 8 minutes.)

Add remaining ingredients and simmer 10 minutes.
Serve with your choice of toppings.

Toppings such as sour cream, chopped cilantro, green onion, diced avocado or grated cheese add a finishing touch.



Quicktips

• Clean a vase: to remove a stain from the bottom of a glass vase or cruet, fill with water and drop in two Alka-Seltzer tablets.
  
• Unclog steam iron. Pour equal amounts of vinegar and water into the iron's water chamber. Turn to steam and leave the iron on for 5 minutes in an upright position. Then unplug and allow to cool. Any loose particles should come out when you empty the water.
  
• Ants, ants, ants everywhere...Well, they are said to never cross a chalk line. So get your chalk out and dra a line on the floor or wherever ants end to march.
  
• Remove decals. Brush with a couple of coats of vinegar. Allow to soak in. Wash off.
  
• Freshen cut flowers. Add 2 tablespoons vinegar and 1 teaspoon sugar for each quart of water.
  
• Polish jewelry: drop two Alka-Seltzer tablets into a glass of water and immerse the jewelry for two minutes.
  
• Clean eyeglasses. Wipe each lens with a drop of vinegar.
  
• To remove old self stick shelf paper quickly and easily, simply run a warm iron over the paper and it will peel right off.

Now I can toss the magazine in the recycle bin...one less clutter on my desk.

In The Beginning....

This blog was created, but there's nothing, just an empty space. Like the desert...only sand dunes, mirage and oasis. It must be wonderful, if we can start our life over again with a clean slate...just like this empty space. I wonder if we would commit the same mistakes we have done in the past. We would perhaps, if we would wake up from a coma and regain our consciousness. Just wondering.........